Reverse geofence feature in an automated frequency coordination system

ABSTRACT

A method for generating a geofence includes receiving, at an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system, a geofence request from an AFC device where the geofence request requests to use a licensed radio frequency band and includes one or more operating parameters for the AFC device. The method also includes determining, by the AFC system, whether any of the one or more operating parameters interfere with any licensed devices on the licensed radio frequency band. When none of the one or more operating parameters interfere with any of the licensed devices on the licensed frequency band, the method further includes generating, by the AFC system, based on the one or more operating parameters, a geofence defining an operating boundary for the AFC device to communicate within. The method also includes communicating, from the AFC system to the AFC device, a response to the geofence request where the response includes the geofence.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a reverse geofence feature in an automatedfrequency coordination system.

BACKGROUND

Today many consumer devices are capable of providing wirelesscommunication or functioning in some manner as a communication accesspoint or hotspot. Because of this functionality and other reasons, radiofrequency bands allocated to wireless or broadband communication havebecome increasingly congested. Yet even as the regulatory bodies expandthe radio frequency bands accessible to consumer devices, the radiofrequency bands that are allocated by these regulatory bodies ofteninclude licensed systems or devices that operate on these frequencybands based on a licensing arrangement. When unlicensed devices (e.g.,consumer devices that do not receive regulatory licenses) combine withlicensed devices on the same radio frequency bands, there is thepotential for interference. Since this interference may be at thedetriment to the licensed user, there is a need for an approach thatminimizes or reduces the potential of this interference to occur. Thisis especially true when many consumer devices are mobile (e.g., mobilephones) and may move from one area that did not interfere with alicensed system to another area that does interfere with a licensedsystem.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a computer-implemented method forgenerating a geofence for an automated frequency coordination (AFC)device using an AFC system. The method when executed by data processinghardware causes the data processing hardware to perform operations. Theoperations include receiving, at an AFC system, a geofence request froman AFC device, the geofence request requesting to use a licensed radiofrequency band and including one or more operating parameters for theAFC device. The operations also include determining, by the AFC system,whether any of the one or more operating parameters interfere with anylicensed devices on the licensed radio frequency band. When none of theone or more operating parameters interfere with any of the licenseddevices on the licensed frequency band, the operations further includegenerating, by the AFC system, based on the one or more operatingparameters, a geofence defining an operating boundary for the AFC deviceto operate within. The operations also include communicating, from theAFC system to the AFC device, a response to the geofence request wherethe response includes the geofence generated by the AFC system.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a system for generating ageofence for an automated frequency coordination (AFC) device using anAFC system. The system includes data processing hardware and memoryhardware. The memory hardware is in communication with the dataprocessing hardware and stores instructions that, when executed on thedata processing hardware, perform operations. The operations includereceiving, at an AFC system, a geofence request from an AFC device, thegeofence request requesting to use a licensed radio frequency band andincluding one or more operating parameters for the AFC device. Theoperations also include determining, by the AFC system, whether any ofthe one or more operating parameters interfere with any licensed deviceson the licensed radio frequency band. When none of the one or moreoperating parameters interfere with any of the licensed devices on thelicensed frequency band, the operations further include generating, bythe AFC system, based on the one or more operating parameters, ageofence defining an operating boundary for the AFC device to operatewithin. The operations also include communicating, from the AFC systemto the AFC device, a response to the geofence request where the responseincludes the geofence generated by the AFC system.

Implementations of the method or the system may include one or more ofthe following optional features. In some implementations, the operationsfurther include identifying, by the AFC system, a locational uncertaintyfor the AFC device and the operation of generating the geofence definingthe operating boundary for the AFC device to operate is further based onthe location uncertainty of the AFC device. In some examples, theoperations also include identifying, from the one or more operatingparameters, a location of the AFC device and determining interferencelocations in an area adjacent to the location identified for the AFCdevice where each interference location corresponds to a respectivelocation where the one or more operating parameters interfere with anoperation of the licensed device on the licensed radio frequency band.Here, generating, the geofence defining the operating boundary for theAFC device to operate is further based on excluding the interferencelocations from the operating boundary. The one or more operatingparameters may include a location for the AFC device. The one or moreoperating parameters may include a longitude, a latitude, and a heightabove ground level for the AFC device. Here, the operating boundary ofthe geofence may correspond to a volumetric space for the AFC device tooperate within based on the one or more operating parameters. The one ormore operating parameters may include a minimum operating power for theAFC device. In some implementations, the one or more operatingparameters include global positioning system (GPS) information for theAFC device. In some examples, the response further includes an operatingpower constraint for the AFC device where the operating power constraintindicates a threshold operating power for the AFC device to operate atwithin the geofence generated by the AFC system. The AFC device may be adevice without a license to operate at the licensed radio frequency bandor a device that is licensed to operate at the licensed radio frequencyband (e.g., a mobile licensed device). In some configurations, the AFCdevice includes a mobile device.

In some configurations of either the method or the system, the responsefurther includes a plurality of recommended geofences. Here, theplurality of recommended geofences includes the geofence and a firstrange of frequencies in the licensed radio frequency band for the AFCdevice to operate within the geofence and a second geofence and a secondrange of frequencies in the licensed radio frequency band for the AFCdevice to operate within the second geofence. The second geofence has adifferent respective operating boundary than the operating boundary ofthe geofence.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic views of example communicationenvironments for an Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) system.

FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic views of example AFC systems.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example arrangement of operations for amethod of generating a geofence for an AFC device using an AFC system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an example computing device that may beused to implement the systems and methods described herein.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices capable of wireless communications have significantly increasedin recent years due, in part, to the age of the smart device. Manyhouseholds today have numerous devices capable of wireless connectivityand often these devices are mobile in nature. To wirelessly communicate,user devices or consumer devices use a designated portion of the radiofrequency spectrum. The radio frequency spectrum refers to a continuousrange of radio wave frequencies that have been divided into bands by oneor more communication regulating bodies. A radio band refers to somecontiguous section of radio spectrum frequencies in which channels areusually designated for a particular purpose. For instance, deviceoperating services such as broadcasting, mobile radio, or navigation areallocated non-overlapping ranges of frequencies (i.e., frequency bands)to prevent interference and to promote the efficient use of the radiospectrum.

With the use of consumer devices continuously expanding over the lastfew decades, the frequency bands allocated to such devices has also beenexpanding. Generally speaking, user equipment (e.g., wireless accesspoints), thought of colloquially as user devices or consumer devices,are unlicensed devices capable of wireless communication using radiowaves. Here, “unlicensed” refers to the fact that this category ofequipment (i.e., user equipment) does not require a license from a radiofrequency regulatory body such as the Federal Communications Commission(FCC) or a frequency assignment from the National Telecommunications andInformation Administration (NTIA). Initially, unlicensed devices, whichwere typically low-power devices, such as mobile phones, Bluetooth,wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi), keyless entry, garage door openers,etc., were allocated to operate at an ultra-high frequency (UHF) on amicrowave frequency band (also known as the S band). More particularly,Wi-Fi networks following standards like IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g, and802.11n used the 2.4 GHz section of the S band. Depending on thecountry, this 2.4 GHz band includes around 11 channels. At the turn ofthe 21^(st) century, and ushered further by the IEEE 802.11n standard,wireless communication for user equipment expanded to the use of the 5GHz band (or ultra-high frequency (UHF) band). Even with the 5 GHz bandoffering an additional 500 MHz of spectrum to Wi-Fi's capability, thepopularity of technology having wireless connectivity has led to boththe 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band to have a significant amount ofcongestion today.

Recently, the FCC approved the use of the 6 GHz frequency band forwireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi or similar broadband technology)with unlicensed devices on the condition that unlicensed devices do notinterfere with devices (also referred to as licensed devices) that havereceived licenses to use the 6 GHz frequency band. The 6 GHz frequencyband is a spectrum of radio frequencies ranging from 5.925 GHz to 7.125GHz (or 1200 MHz of spectrum). This spectrum addition to wirelesscapability is an expansion that adds upwards of one hundred channels forunlicensed devices to utilize.

The caveat to the 6 GHz spectrum expansion is that unlicensed devices donot interfere with incumbent licensed devices or systems. This may beparticularly important when these licensed uses in the 6 GHz bandcorrespond to uses such as communication links for utility and publicsafety networks, Fixed Satellite Services (FSS), and backhaulconnections to provide data to and from cell sites for carrier providers(i.e., mobile services). In order to ensure that interference does notoccur between licensed devices and unlicensed devices, the FCCestablished a framework that allows unlicensed devices to operate in the6 GHz band without causing interference by relying on two differentmethods. The first method is for indoor use and dictates that low-powerunlicensed devices will be used indoors only. The rationale for thismethod is that a building's structure will attenuate signals from thelow power unlicensed devices during indoor use such that the amount ofradio energy imparted on outdoor licensed uses is too small to causeharmful interference. For example, a low power unlicensed device is adevice that uses a maximum EIRP power spectral density of 5 dBm/MHz. Thesecond method is for standard or high-power unlicensed devices (e.g.,devices exceeding the maximum EIRP power spectral density of 5 dBm/MHz)being used indoors or outdoors and employs spectrum use coordination. Inthis method, the unlicensed device communicates operating parameters(e.g., a location, height, target power, radio frequency of operations,etc.) to a spectrum use coordination system called an AutomatedFrequency Coordination (AFC) system. Here, the AFC is configured as asystem (e.g., a cloud-based system) with information regarding licensedsystems/devices. That is, the AFC knows relevant operating parameters oflicensed systems (e.g., location, height, antenna characteristics,frequency of operations, etc.). With the target operating parametersfrom the unlicensed device and the relevant operating parameters oflicensed systems, the AFC system is able to determine whether theunlicensed device can operate with its target parameters without causingharmful interference to any of the licensed incumbent systems in aparticular area. The AFC system then instructs the unlicensed devicewhich frequency channels are available for the operation of theunlicensed device at the submitted operating parameters that will notinterfere with licensed systems.

Industry standards have begun to develop based on the FCC's frameworkrules for preventing interference between unlicensed and licenseddevices. One such standard created by the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) outlinesprotocols for a communication interface between an unlicensed device andthe AFC system. Since the unlicensed device is communicating with theAFC system, the unlicensed device may also be referred to as an AFCdevice. In the standard set forth by the WFA, the AFC device reports itslocation to the AFC system along with the AFC device's target operatingparameters. Based on these inputs, the AFC system basically respondswith a binary decision that the AFC device may or may not operate at thetarget operating parameters at that particular AFC device location. Insome examples, the response is a binary response for each potentialchannel (e.g., requested by the AFC device). In other words, the AFCdevice may send a request to the AFC system where the AFC device asksthe AFC system whether it can operate at a particular set of operatingparameters (e.g., a maximum power and a location) on any of fourchannels. Here, based on the set of operating parameters, the AFC systemresponds that the AFC device can operate on one of the four channelsusing the requested set of operating parameters.

In accordance with the WFA standard, when the AFC device requests tooperate on the 6 GHz band, the AFC device reports its location (e.g.,horizontal location and height) with 95% confidence to the AFC system inpredominantly one of two manners. In the first manner, the AFC devicereports its location to represent that the AFC device is static orinstalled/fixed at a single point. For instance, the AFC device is awireless access point in a fixed location. In this static case, the AFCprovides its location to the AFC device as an ellipse where the centerof the ellipse is the fixed horizontal location (e.g., a longitude andlatitude) of the AFC device and the radius of the ellipse represents the95% confidence level for the location of that point (e.g., taking intoaccount estimated statistical errors of a Global Positioning Systemmeasurement). Here, as part of the location, the AFC device alsoprovides its height (e.g., as a height above ground level) and anuncertainty for that height value. In the second manner, the AFC devicereports its location to represent that the AFC device is dynamic innature (i.e., can be located at multiple points within a particular areaor volume of space). In this dynamic situation, the AFC device reportsits location to the AFC system as a polygon where the boundary set bythe perimeter of the polygon dictates an area where the AFC devicewishes to dynamically operate with 95% confidence. In other words, thepolygon represents a target operating area with additional clearancesuch that the polygon represents the target operating area with 95%confidence (e.g., with additional clearance to account for possiblestatistical errors in the AFC device's location). Here, this polygon mayalso be referred to as a geofence since it sets a virtual boundary forthe AFC device. Similar to the static situation, the AFC device alsoreports its height (e.g., a height above ground level) and anuncertainty measurement for that height value. In these examples, withthe combination of the horizontal area, represented as either an ellipseor a polygon, and the height, the AFC device is providing a volumetriclocation to the AFC system.

Unfortunately, although the WFA standard provides for the AFC system toapprove a dynamic operating area (e.g., represented by a geofence)requested by the AFC device, the AFC system's decision is ratherinflexible with this standard. That is, it is quite possible for the AFCdevice to generate a geofence that, unbeknownst to the AFC device,interferes with a small portion of a licensed system. Here, a majorityof the geofence may not interfere with licensed systems, but nonethelesssince a small portion of the geofence area does interfere with alicensed system, the AFC system will deny the request for thatparticular geofence based on the interference. This is problematicbecause it burdens the AFC device with the task of creating a geofencewhen the AFC device does not inherently have any information regardinglocations where licensed systems may interfere with a created geofence.In other words, the AFC device may prefer to simply shrink the size of arequested geofence polygon to prevent the small amount of potentialinterference instead of being completely denied operation.

To address some of these issues, the approach herein shifts thegeneration of the geofence to the AFC system. In other words, instead ofthe AFC device requesting that a particular geofence be approved, theAFC system is configured to generate the geofence itself for the AFCdevice based on requested operating parameters. This approach thereforeleverages the built-in knowledge that the AFC system has with regard tothe operation of licensed system(s) to generate a geofence for the AFCdevice. By enabling the AFC system to have the ability to create ageofence for the AFC device, the AFC system enables AFC devices to beused as mobile or dynamic access points in a more robust manner. Thatis, the AFC system can best leverage its knowledge of licensed systemsto ensure that the AFC device can operate dynamically. Moreover, thisapproach can reduce the frequency of communication between the AFCdevice and the AFC system (e.g., the AFC device has to make lessrequests to get approval for a geofence) and may allow an AFC devicethat does not have a pre-established geographic range of operation toreceive a robust geographic range for operation.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an AFC device 110 associated with a user10 generates a request 120 requesting to use a licensed radio frequencyband 122. Here, the request 120 includes one or more operatingparameters 124 for the AFC device 110. The operating parameters 124provided in the request 120 allow an AFC system 200 to identifypotential interference between the AFC device 110 and one or morelicensed systems 102. Some examples of operating parameters 124 that maybe provided to the AFC system 200 by the AFC device 110 include a targetminimum power, the channel(s) on which the AFC device 110 can operate, astarting location (e.g., a horizontal location such as longitude andlatitude), and a target operating height (or a range of target operatingheights). As used herein, the target operating height refers to anoperating height/altitude the AFC device 110 is above ground level. TheAFC device 110 communicates the request 120 to the AFC system 200 via anetwork 130. In response to the request 120, the AFC system 200generates a response 150 for the AFC device 110. The response 150dictates whether the AFC device 110 can operate or not at the requestedlicensed radio frequency band 122 using the requested operatingparameters 124 (or some variation thereof).

The AFC device 110 refers to any device that is both capable of wirelesscommunication using a radio frequency band and capable of communicationwith the AFC system 200. In this respect, the AFC device 110 may be anunlicensed device or a licensed device. In the case of a licenseddevice, the AFC device 110 may be a mobile licensed device that, eventhough it has been approved to operate on a particular licensed radiofrequency band, nonetheless ensures that its mobility does not interferewith the operations of other licensed systems on the particular licensedradio frequency band. Therefore, although some examples discussed hereinare from the perspective of an unlicensed AFC device, the functionalityof the AFC system 200 is also applicable to operating compliance betweenlicensed systems 102 (e.g., compliance between a licensed AFC device 110and other licensed systems 102).

In some examples, the AFC device 110 is a wireless access point (orsimply access point (AP)) that corresponds to a networking componentwhich allows other Wi-Fi enabled devices to connect to a networkbroadcasted by the AP. In some implementations, the AFC device 110 is auser device that is capable of acting as a hotspot. For example, the AFCdevice 110 is a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), tablet, laptop, orother smart device configured to provide hotspot functionality. The AFCdevice 110 may be configured with hotspot or AP functionality usingparticular hardware, firmware, software, or some combination thereof.The AFC device 110 includes data processing hardware 112 and memoryhardware 114. The memory hardware 114 includes instructions that, whenexecuted by the data processing hardware 112, perform operations relatedto automated frequency coordination and/or geofence implementation.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the request 120 from the AFC device 110dictates that the AFC device 110 is requesting to operate on thelicensed radio frequency band 122 corresponding to the 6 GHz frequencyband. Although this is the licensed radio frequency band 122 depictedthroughout the examples, the techniques described herein can be deployedfor other licensed frequency bands 122. In other words, if the FCC (oranother regulating body) approves another licensed frequency band 122for unlicensed device use (e.g., 8 GHz or 9 GHz), the geofence requestprocess by the AFC device 110 and the geofence generation process by theAFC system 200 may be used to determine geofences for other licensedfrequency bands 122. Since the AFC system 200 designates an area (i.e.,a geofence 152) where the AFC device 110 can operate without interferingwith licensed systems 102 on a particular licensed frequency band 122,this process is universally compatible with any licensed frequency band122. Therefore, although the licensed frequency band 122 of 6 GHz ispertinent today based on recent regulatory approval, the processeddescribed for the AFC device 110 and/or AFC system 200 may alsotranslate to coordinating AFC device operation on other licensedfrequency bands 122.

FIG. 1A is an example of a traditional AFC system where the request 120includes a proposed geofence 126 configured by the AFC device 110. Theproposed geofence 126 defines a target operating boundary that the AFCdevice 110 wishes to operate within. In other words, the AFC device 110constructs a proposed geofence 126 based on where the AFC device 110wants to dynamically operate and encloses this operating area with apolygon referred to as a geofence. In a traditional AFC system, the AFCsystem does not generate the geofence on its own accord, but rathereither (i) approves the proposed geofence 126 because the proposedgeofence 126 does not interfere with any licensed system 102 or (ii)denies approval for the proposed geofence 126 because the proposedgeofence 126 interferes with one or more licensed systems 102. In thissense, the response 150 from a traditional AFC system is binary innature—approval or not approval.

FIG. 1A illustrates two licensed systems 102, 102 a—b where a firstlicensed system 102 a corresponds to a first base station for a firstmobile carrier and a second licensed system 102 b that corresponds to asecond base station for a second mobile carrier. In this example, theproposed geofence 126 from the AFC device 110 overlaps with a smallamount of the operating area A_(O) for each licensed system 102. Inother words, with respect to the first licensed system 102 a, theproposed geofence 126 overlaps with a first operating area A_(O), A_(O1)of the first licensed system 102 a in a first interference area A_(I),A_(I1). Similarly, the proposed geofence 126 overlaps with a secondoperating area A_(O), A_(O2) of the second licensed system 102 b in asecond interference area A_(I), A_(I2). Even though these interferenceareas A_(I) may seem minor, the fact that any inference area existsviolates the FCC framework for an AFC device. Namely, that an unlicenseddevice or other licensed device is not to interfere with a licensedsystem 102 for a particular licensed frequency band 122. Therefore, whenthe traditional AFC system receives the proposed geofence 126 anddetermines that the proposed geofence 126 interferes with licensedsystems 102 a—b, the traditional AFC system will generate a response 150that informs that AFC device 110 that it cannot operate in the proposedgeofence 126 using the proposed operating parameters 124 for theparticular licensed frequency band 122. As can be shown by this example,the expectation that the AFC device 110 determines its own geofencewithout information about the incumbent licensed system(s) 102 can makegeofencing with a traditional AFC system difficult. For instance, theAFC device 110 may wind up iterating its proposed geofence 126 severaltimes until no interference areas A_(I) exist.

In contrast to the traditional AFC system, FIG. 1B depicts an AFC system200 that does not receive a proposed geofence 126 from the AFC device110, but rather the AFC system 200 generates a geofence 152 for the AFCdevice 110 based on the target operating parameters 124 at the licensedfrequency band 122. Although this AFC system 200 is still likely to havescenarios where no geofence exists for the AFC device 110 based on theoperating parameter(s) 124 of the request 120 for the licensed frequencyband 122, this approach likely reduces the number of times an AFC device110 may receive a response 150 that does not approve at least someoperating boundary for the AFC device 110. For instance, FIG. 1Bcompared to FIG. 1A illustrates that the AFC system 200 can just excludethe interference areas A_(I) from the proposed geofence 126 of FIG. 1Ato generate a geofence 152 that closely resembles the proposed geofence126 of FIG. 1A. Here, the comparison between these figures illustrateshow the AFC system 200 does not produce a geofence with some degree ofinterference because the AFC system 200 approaches the generation of thegeofence 152 from another perspective where the geofence 152 is drawnwith knowledge of operating areas A_(O) for incumbent licensed system(s)102.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, either AFC system may be in communicationwith a remote system 140 (e.g., a cloud-based AFC system). The remotesystem 140 includes remote computing resources 142 such as remote dataprocessing hardware 144 (e.g., remote servers or CPUs) and remote memoryhardware 146 (e.g., remote databases or other storage hardware). The AFCsystem 200 may utilize these remote computing resources 142 to performvarious functionality related to geofence generation and/or to incumbentlicensed system(s) analysis. For instance, in FIGS. 2A-2C, the AFCsystem 200 is shown to include a licensed system database 210 (i.e., adatabase of registered systems that have a license to use the licensedfrequency band 122). The licensed system database 210 may be hosted onthe remote system 140 (e.g., in a remote server) and accessible to theAFC system 200. Here, when the AFC system 200 receives the request 120,the AFC system 200 would access the licensed system database 210 on theremote system 140 to identify incumbent licensed systems 102 that mayinterfere with given the operating parameters 124 of the request 120.The AFC system 200 may reside on the AFC device 110 (referred to as anon-device system) or reside remotely (e.g., reside on the remote system140), but in communication with the device 110. In some examples,portions of the AFC system 200 reside locally or on-device while othersreside remotely.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the AFC system 200 is configured to receivethe request 120 from the AFC device 110 and to determine whether any ofthe one or more operating parameters 124 interfere with any licensedsystem 102 on the licensed radio frequency band 122. Here, when none ofthe one or more operating parameters 124 interferes with any of thelicensed systems 102 on the licensed frequency band 122, the AFC system200 generates a geofence 152 that defines an operating boundary for theAFC device 110 to operate within based on the one or more operatingparameters 124. The AFC system 200 then communicates a response 150 tothe request 120 from the AFC device 200 that includes the geofence 152generated by the AFC system 200. In some implementations, in order toperform geofence generation, the AFC system 200 includes a licensedsystems database 210 (also referred to as database 210) and a geofencegenerator 220 (also referred to as a generator 220).

To determine whether any of the operating parameters 124 interfere withany of the licensed systems 102 on the licensed frequency band 122, theAFC system 200 references the licensed systems database 210 (alsoreferred to as database 210). The database 210 refers to a register forlicensed systems 102 that includes information 212 about each licensedsystem 102 that has received a license for use on the licensed frequencyband 122. For instance, when a licensed system 102 requests a licensefor a particular use on the licensed frequency band 122, the request forthe license may include information 212 that defines how the requestingsystem intends to operate. In other words, due to the licensing processand/or information known/shared about a licensed system 102, thedatabase 210 includes the operating parameter(s) for each licensedsystem 102 as part of its information 212. These operating parametersfor a given licensed system 102 may include a location, a height (i.e.,altitude above ground level), antenna characteristics, frequency ofoperation, and other operating parameters disclosed or identifiableabout the operation of the licensed system 102.

With the requested operating parameters 124 from the AFC device 110(e.g., from the request 120) and the current operating parametersincluded in the information 212 for each licensed system 102, thegenerator 220 of the AFC system 200 is configured to compare therequested operating parameters 124 against the current operatingparameters (of the existing licensed systems 102) for potentialinterference. In some examples, the generator 220 identifies a location124, 124 a of the AFC device 110 from the operation parameters 124 ofthe request 120 and determines interference locations 222 in an areaadjacent to the location 124 a of the AFC device 110. Here, theinterference locations 222 refer to a respective location where theoperating parameters 124 of the request 120 would interfere with anoperation of a licensed system 102 on the licensed frequency band 122.In some examples, the interference locations 222 refer to an outerboundary of a licensed system's operating area A_(O). In other words,the boundaries of the licensed systems 102 inform the generator 220 thatthe AFC device 110 cannot be given a geofence 152 that crosses theseboundaries and enters into an operating area A_(O) of a licensed system102. Otherwise, interference will result. With this approach, if thegenerator 220 determines the boundaries for the operating areas A_(O) oflicensed systems 102 in an area adjacent the location 124 a of the AFCdevice 110, the generator 220 can configure, for example, a maximumsized geofence 152 by defining the geofence boundary up to, but notincluding the boundaries of one or more licensed systems 102 nearby thelocation 124 a of the AFC device 110. In some implementations, thegenerator 220 may offset the geofence 152 from the boundary of anoperating area A_(O) for a licensed device 102 by some designatedtolerance (i.e., functioning as a buffer) to ensure that the geofence152 does not interfere with a licensed device 102. This offset processmay then be repeated for all licensed systems 102 in the area adjacentto the location 124 a of the AFC device 110 to generate the finalgeofence 152 communicated to the AFC device 110 with the response 150.

In some configurations, an interference location 222 refers to anintersection of the operating area A_(O) for one or more licensedsystems 102 and an operating area A_(O) for the AFC device 110 based onthe operating parameters 124 of the request 120. In addition todetermining a boundary of an operating area A_(O) for a licensed system102, the generator 220 also may determine a theoretical operating areaA_(O) for the AFC device 110 using the operating parameters 124. In thissense, if the theoretical operating area A_(O) for the AFC device 110has some overlap (i.e., interference) with an operating area A_(O) for alicensed system 102, the generator 220 may adjust the operatingparameters 124 and recommend a geofence 152 with operating parameters(i.e., adjusted operating parameters) that deviate from the operatingparameters 124 of the request 120. In some examples, the operatingparameters 124 are one or more parameters with a potential range (e.g.,a range of sufficient heights, a range of sufficient power levels,and/or multiple potential operating channels) and the generator 220generates a geofence 152 for the AFC device 110 with adjusted operatingparameters that still satisfy the range(s) for the operatingparameter(s) 124 submitted with the request 120. Here, if the generator220 generates a geofence 152 that fails to satisfy one or more submittedranges of the operating parameters 124, the generator 220 maynonetheless communicate this geofence 152 to the AFC device 110, butindicate in some manner that the geofence 152 includes operatingparameters permitted by the AFC system 200 that fail to satisfy therequested operating parameters 124.

In some implementations, such as FIGS. 2A and 2B, the generator 220identifies the location 124 a of the AFC device 110. Using this location124 a, the generator 220 searches the database 210 to determine if anylicensed systems 102 are located in an area nearby the location 124 a ofthe AFC device 110. In some examples, the generator 220 is configured tosearch a particular area centered on the location 124 a of the AFCdevice 110 (e.g., a one mile square area). This search area may be adesign parameter of the generator 220 (or AFC system 200) that isconfigured by an administrator of the AFC system 200. In some examples,the AFC device 110 may designate the search area as one of the operatingparameters 124 of the request 120. Here, if the AFC device 110 does notspecify a particular search area as an operating parameter 124, the AFCsystem 200 may be configured to use a default search area (e.g., 5square miles). Based on the search area, the generator 220 in FIGS. 2Aand 2B identifies four licensed systems 102, 102 a-d in the vicinity ofthe location 124 a of the AFC device 110. For each of the identifiedlicensed systems 102 in the vicinity of the location 124 a of the AFCdevice 110, the generator 220 analyzes the operating parameters frominformation 212 corresponding to a licensed system 102 to determine aninterference location 222 for each identified licensed system 102. InFIGS. 2A and 2B, the generator 220 generates four interference locations222, 222 a-d corresponding to the boundaries of the operating areasA_(O) for each of the four licensed systems 102 a-d nearby the AFCdevice 110. With the interference locations 222 around the AFC device110 defined, in some configurations, the generator 220 generates theoperating boundary of the geofence 152 for the AFC device 110 byexcluding the interference locations 222 from the operating boundary. Inthis respect, the exclusion results in the geofence 152 without areasthat cause interference between the AFC device 110 and one or morenearby licensed systems 102 (e.g., the four licensed systems 102 a-d).

In some configurations, the location 124 a of the AFC device 110includes a locational uncertainty 124, 124 b (e.g., as another operatingparameter 124) that communicates a likelihood that the AFC device 110 isin that particular location 124 a. When the generator 220 receives alocational uncertainty 124 b, the generator 220 may generate thegeofence 152 based on the locational uncertainty 124 b for the AFCdevice 110. In these configurations, the generator 220 identifies thelocational uncertainty 124 b when generating the geofence 152. Forexample, the generator 220 may use the locational uncertainty 124 b todefine the buffer (e.g., shown as A in FIG. 2B) for the geofence 152.Here, the buffer may refer to an area between one or more interferencelocations 222 (e.g., the boundary of an operating area A_(O) for alicensed system 102) and the geofence 152. That is, the greater thelocational uncertainty 124 b, the greater the buffer area should bebetween the interference locations 222 and the operational boundary ofthe geofence 152. In other words, if the locational uncertainty 124 bindicates that the location 124 a for the AFC device 110 is not verycertain, the generator 220 may ensure that the geofence 152 does notinterfere with a licensed system 102 by creating a larger buffer (e.g.,between an interference location 222 and the final geofence 152) andthus a smaller geofence 152.

In some examples, the operating parameters 124 define the location 124 aof the AFC device 110 according to a longitude and latitude (alsoreferred to as a horizontal location). Here, the location 124 a maycorrespond to global positioning system (GPS) data for the AFC device110. In other words, the AFC device 110 communicates with GPS to receiveits coordinates and may pass these coordinates as an operating parameter124 to the AFC system 200 in the request 120. In addition to thehorizontal location for the AFC device 110, the operating parameters 124may also include a height in the request 120. Here, the height may beexpressed as a height/altitude above sea level (i.e., an elevation) inorder to be consistent with a reference plane (i.e., sea level). Byincluding a height in addition to the horizontal location (e.g., thelongitude and latitude), the AFC system 200 receives a three-dimensionalor volumetric operating request 120. In this respect, the AFC system 200then functions to generate a volumetric geofence 152 based on thethree-dimensional inputs (i.e., three-dimensional operating parameters124). When the request 120 includes a height for the AFC device 110,this height may be a single height or a target range of heights. Forinstance, the AFC device 110 desires to operate somewhere in a range ofheights between 640 feet above sea level and 800 feet above sea level.When the request 120 is a volumetric request, the generator 220 insteadgenerates, for example, three-dimensional interference locations 222rather than two-dimensional interference locations 222. In someimplementations, the generator 220 generates a three dimensionalgeofence 152 when the input is a target range of heights by dividingthat range of heights into discrete bands of heights and searching thediscrete bands for interference. Referring further to the example of arange of heights between 640 feet above sea and 800 feet above sealevel, the AFC system 200 may generate a geofence 152 spanning a rangeof heights from 700-730 feet above sea level; therefore, indicating thatheights ranging from 640-699 feet above sea level and 731-800 feet abovesea level are not available for the particular set of operatingparameters 124 in the request 120.

The operating parameters 124 of the request 120 may also include aparameter relating to a power for the AFC device 110. For instance, theAFC device 110 includes an operating parameter 124 that designates aminimum operational power for the AFC device 110. That is, the AFCdevice 110 signals that the geofence 152 of the response 150 cannotrequire that the AFC device 110 operates at a power less than theminimum operational power. In this example, if the AFC system 200 couldnot generate a geofence 152 that meets the minimum operational powerrequirements, the AFC system 200 is configured to indicate that ageofence 152 is not available that satisfies the minimum operationalpower. In some examples, the operating parameters 124 include a range ofacceptable power levels for the AFC device 110. In this example, theresponse 150 may include not only a geofence 152 for the AFC device 110,but also an acceptable range of power levels that the AFC device 110 canuse to operate while located within the geofence 152.

The response 150 generally includes a geofence 152 with approvedoperating parameters 154 for the AFC device 110. These approvedoperating parameters 154 of the response 150 are “approved” parameterssince the AFC system approves these parameters as parameters that theAFC device 110 can operate at while within the geofence 152. In otherwords, if an AFC device 110 operates according to operating parametersother than the approved operating parameters 154, the AFC device 110 maybe in violation of the FCC framework (i.e., at risk of causinginterference with licensed systems 102). In some examples, theseapproved operating parameters 154 include one or more constraints 156that dictate absolute conditions for operation of the AFC device 110.Constraints 156 may be advantageous because, during operating of the AFCdevice 110, there may be a reason that the AFC device 110 may deviatefrom its operating parameters. By communicating constraints 156, the AFCdevice 110 can determine whether its deviation would cause interferencewith licensed system(s) 102 without having to reinitiate communicationwith the AFC system 200. In other words, the AFC device 110 determineswhether a particular modification to an operating parameter fails tosatisfy a relevant constraint 156.

One such example of a constraint 156 is a power constraint 156 for thegeofence 152. Here, a power constraint 156 refers to a thresholdoperating power (e.g., maximum operating power) for the AFC device 110to operate at while located within the geofence 152. That is, if the AFCdevice 110 operates at a power that exceeds the threshold of the powerconstraint 156, the AFC device 110 risks interfering with one or morelicensed systems 102. Therefore, in some configurations, based on thepower constraint 156, the AFC device 110 is only permitted to operate ata power equal to or less than the power constraint 156 while located inthe geofence 152. In some implementations, if the power constraint 156is less than the minimum operational power designated by the AFC device110 in the operating parameters 124, the AFC system 200 does not includea geofence 152 with the response 150 and instead conveys that theminimum operational power cannot be satisfied. In this respect, when theoperating parameters 124 cannot be met by the AFC system 200, the AFCsystem 200 may either fail to return a response 150 to a request 120,return a response 150 that indicates a rationale as to why the AFCsystem 200 cannot generate a geofence 152, or return a response 150 thatproposes alternative operating parameters for a particular geofence 152.In the later case, when the AFC system 200 returns a response 150 thatproposes alternative operating parameters for a particular geofence 152,the AFC system 200 may be configured with a deviation threshold thatdefines how much the AFC system 200 is permitted to deviate from thesubmitted/requested operating parameters 124.

Referring to FIG. 2C, the response 150 may include more than onegeofence 152 (e.g., shown as four geofences 152, 152 a-d). Here, eachgeofence 152 returned to the AFC device 110 as part of the response 150is a permitted geofence 152 (also referred to as a recommended geofence)for the AFC device 110. In this sense, when the response 150 includesmultiple geofences 152, each geofence 152 represents a geofence optionfor the AFC device 110. In some examples, the AFC device 110 receivesmore than one geofence 152 as optional operational boundaries for theAFC device 110 when the AFC device 110 submits operating parameters 124that may be combined in different permutations by the AFC system 200 togenerate more than one geofence 152. For instance, one more commonscenario where this may occur is when the AFC device 110 communicates inthe request 120 that it is capable of operating on more than one channelor range of frequencies within the licensed frequency band 122. In thissituation, the AFC system 200 is configured to generate a geofence 152for each potential channel or range of frequencies. To illustrate, FIG.2C depicts that the AFC system 200 generates a geofence 152 for eachpotential channel where some area or volume adjacent the AFC device 110exists that would not interfere with a licensed system 102. Here, theAFC system 200 generates four geofences 152 a-d for four channels in thelicensed frequency band 122 where each geofence 152 corresponds to oneof the four channels. As can be seen from this example, one or morelicensed systems 102 may be operating in different ways (e.g., withdifferent operating areas A_(O)) on different channels. For instance,licensed system 2 does not operate on Channel B in the designated area(shown as Area 1) which results in a second geofence 152 b that islarger on Channel B for the AFC device 110 compared to a first geofence152 a on Channel A where all licensed systems 102 are operating to somedegree. Similarly, on Channel C, licensed system 2 does not operate andlicensed system 4 operates in a smaller operating area A_(O) (e.g., whencompared to its operating area A_(O) of Channel A or B). This results ina third geofence 152 c that is different from the first geofence 152 aof Channel A and the second geofence 152 b of Channel C (e.g., spans adifferent portion of Area 1). On Channel D, licensed system 3 and 4 donot operate and licensed system 1 is operating in a smaller operatingarea A_(O) (e.g., when compared to its operating area A_(O) of ChannelsA, B, and C). This results in a fourth geofence 152 d that is differentyet from the other geofences 152 a-c and spans almost ⅔^(rd) of the Area1. Although FIG. 2C depicts geofences 152 for discrete channels (e.g.,channels A−D), the AFC system 200 can also generate different geofences152 for different ranges of frequencies (e.g., within a single channelor among multiple channels). For instance, a channel may include thefrequencies of 5800 MHz to 6400 MHz and the AFC system 200 outputs twogeofences 152, a first geofence 152 that can operate on the range offrequencies of 5925-6125 MHz and a second geofence 152 that can operateon the range of frequencies of 5925-6025 MHz. In this example, the firstgeofence 152 may be a one kilometer area centered around the AFC device110 while the second geofence 152 may be a two kilometer area centeredaround the AFC device 110.

Returning to the example of FIG. 2C, with the generator 220 generatingthese geofences 152 a-d for each Channel A-D, the AFC device 110 canthen select which geofence 152 it prefers to operate on. For instance,the AFC device 110 may choose to operate on Channel C because the AFCdevice 110 prefers to operate more Easterly than the other geofences 152a-c. In some implementations, when there are multiple geofences 152possible, the AFC system 200 is configured to suggest a geofence 152that the AFC system 200 believes is most optimal (e.g., based onoptimization criteria). For instance, this approach may minimize apotential selection burden for the AFC device 110. That is, someconsumers may not feel as though they possess the knowledge to make ageofence selection and may prefer that the AFC system 200 identifies anoptimal geofence 152. One such example of the optimization criteria maybe that the AFC system 200 determines the geofence 152 with the greatestarea or volume and the response 150 reflects that this geofence 152 withthe greatest area or volume is the leading recommendation by the AFCsystem 200. In some configurations, when the AFC system 200 generatesmultiple geofences 152, the AFC device 110 may be configured to selectan alternative geofence 152 that is different from the recommendationset forth by the AFC system 200.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example arrangement of operations for amethod 300 of generating a geofence 152 for the AFC device 110 using theAFC system 200. At operation 302, the method 300 receives a geofencerequest 120 from an AFC device 110. The geofence request 120 requests touse a licensed radio frequency band 122 and includes one or moreoperating parameters 124 for the AFC device 110. At operation 304, themethod 300 determines whether any of the one or more operatingparameters 124 interfere with any licensed devices 102 on the licensedradio frequency band 122. When none of the one or more operatingparameters 124 interfere with any of the licensed devices 102 on thelicensed frequency band 122, at operation 306, the method 300 generates,based on the one or more operating parameters 124, a geofence 152defining an operating boundary for the AFC device 110 to operate within.At operation 308, the method 300 communicates a response 150 to thegeofence request 120 to the AFC device 110 where the response 150includes the geofence 152.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an example computing device 400 that maybe used to implement the systems (e.g., the AFC system 200) and methods(e.g., the method 300) described in this document. The computing device400 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such aslaptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers,blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. Thecomponents shown here, their connections and relationships, and theirfunctions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limitimplementations of the inventions described and/or claimed in thisdocument.

The computing device 400 includes a processor 410 (e.g., the dataprocessing hardware 112, 144), memory 420 (e.g., the memory hardware114, 146), a storage device 430, a high-speed interface/controller 440connecting to the memory 420 and high-speed expansion ports 450, and alow speed interface/controller 460 connecting to a low speed bus 470 anda storage device 430. Each of the components 410, 420, 430, 440, 450,and 460, are interconnected using various busses, and may be mounted ona common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate. The processor410 can process instructions for execution within the computing device400, including instructions stored in the memory 420 or on the storagedevice 430 to display graphical information for a graphical userinterface (GUI) on an external input/output device, such as display 480coupled to high speed interface 440. In other implementations, multipleprocessors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along withmultiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices400 may be connected, with each device providing portions of thenecessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers,or a multi-processor system).

The memory 420 stores information non-transitorily within the computingdevice 400. The memory 420 may be a computer-readable medium, a volatilememory unit(s), or non-volatile memory unit(s). The non-transitorymemory 420 may be physical devices used to store programs (e.g.,sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) ona temporary or permanent basis for use by the computing device 400.Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flashmemory and read-only memory (ROM)/programmable read-only memory(PROM)/erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM)/electronicallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., typically usedfor firmware, such as boot programs). Examples of volatile memoryinclude, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phasechange memory (PCM) as well as disks or tapes.

The storage device 430 is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device 400. In some implementations, the storage device 430 isa computer-readable medium. In various different implementations, thestorage device 430 may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, anoptical disk device, or a tape device, a flash memory or other similarsolid state memory device, or an array of devices, including devices ina storage area network or other configurations. In additionalimplementations, a computer program product is tangibly embodied in aninformation carrier. The computer program product contains instructionsthat, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as thosedescribed above. The information carrier is a computer- ormachine-readable medium, such as the memory 420, the storage device 430,or memory on processor 410.

The high speed controller 440 manages bandwidth-intensive operations forthe computing device 400, while the low speed controller 460 manageslower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of duties isexemplary only. In some implementations, the high-speed controller 440is coupled to the memory 420, the display 480 (e.g., through a graphicsprocessor or accelerator), and to the high-speed expansion ports 450,which may accept various expansion cards (not shown). In someimplementations, the low-speed controller 460 is coupled to the storagedevice 430 and a low-speed expansion port 490. The low-speed expansionport 490, which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB,Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet), may be coupled to one or moreinput/output devices, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a scanner,or a networking device such as a switch or router, e.g., through anetwork adapter.

The computing device 400 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as astandard server 400 a or multiple times in a group of such servers 400a, as a laptop computer 400 b, or as part of a rack server system 400 c.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described hereincan be realized in digital electronic and/or optical circuitry,integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specificintegrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/orcombinations thereof. These various implementations can includeimplementation in one or more computer programs that are executableand/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least oneprogrammable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupledto receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data andinstructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and atleast one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium” refer to any computer program product,non-transitory computer readable medium, apparatus and/or device (e.g.,magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices(PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to aprogrammable processor, including a machine-readable medium thatreceives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term“machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmablegate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computerneed not have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storingcomputer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatilememory, media and memory devices, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks;magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor andthe memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purposelogic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects of thedisclosure can be implemented on a computer having a display device,e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, ortouch screen for displaying information to the user and optionally akeyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user bysending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is usedby the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on auser's client device in response to requests received from the webbrowser.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method executed by dataprocessing hardware that causes the data processing hardware to performoperations comprising: receiving, at an automated frequency coordination(AFC) system, a geofence request from a mobile AFC device, the geofencerequest requesting to use a licensed radio frequency band and comprisingone or more operating parameters for the AFC device; determining, by theAFC system, whether any of the one or more operating parametersinterfere with any licensed devices on the licensed radio frequencyband; when none of the one or more operating parameters interfere withany of the licensed devices on the licensed radio frequency band,generating, by the AFC system, based on the one or more operatingparameters, a geofence defining an operating boundary of a geographicarea within which the AFC device may move while communicating using thelicensed radio frequency band; and communicating, from the AFC system tothe AFC device, a response to the geofence request, the responsecomprising the geofence generated by the AFC system.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: the operations further comprise identifying, by theAFC system, a locational uncertainty for the AFC device; and generatingthe geofence defining the operating boundary of the geographic area isfurther based on the location uncertainty of the AFC device.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the operations further comprise:identifying, from the one or more operating parameters, a location ofthe AFC device; and determining interference locations in an areaadjacent to the location identified for the AFC device, eachinterference location corresponding to a respective location where theone or more operating parameters interfere with a licensed device on thelicensed radio frequency band; and generating the geofence defining theoperating boundary of the geographic area is further based on excludingthe interference locations from the operating boundary.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more operating parameters comprise alocation for the AFC device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the oneor more operating parameters comprise a longitude, a latitude, and aheight above ground level for the AFC device; and the operating boundaryof the geofence corresponds to a volumetric space within which the AFCdevice may move while communicating using the licensed radio frequencyband based on the one or more operating parameters.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the response further comprises an operating powerconstraint for the AFC device, the operating power constraint indicatinga threshold operating power for the AFC device to operate at within thegeofence generated by the AFC system.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe response further comprises a plurality of recommended geofences, theplurality of recommended geofences comprising: the geofence and a firstrange of frequencies in the licensed radio frequency band for the AFCdevice to communicate within the geofence; and a second geofence and asecond range of frequencies in the licensed radio frequency band for theAFC device to communicate within the second geofence, the secondgeofence defining a different respective operating boundary than theoperating boundary of the geofence.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe one or more operating parameters comprise a minimum operating powerfor the AFC device.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or moreoperating parameters comprises global positioning system (GPS)information for the AFC device.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein theAFC device is a device without a license to operate at the licensedradio frequency band.
 11. A system comprising: data processing hardware;and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware,the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the dataprocessing hardware cause the data processing hardware to performoperations comprising: receiving, at an automated frequency coordination(AFC) system, a geofence request from a mobile AFC device, the geofencerequest requesting to use a licensed radio frequency band and comprisingone or more operating parameters for the AFC device; determining, by theAFC system, whether any of the one or more operating parametersinterfere with any licensed devices on the licensed radio frequencyband; when none of the one or more operating parameters interfere withany of the licensed devices on the licensed radio frequency band,generating, by the AFC system, based on the one or more operatingparameters, a geofence defining an operating boundary of a geographicarea within which the AFC device may move while communicating using thelicensed radio frequency band; and communicating, from the AFC system tothe AFC device, a response to the geofence request, the responsecomprising the geofence generated by the AFC system.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein: the operations further comprise identifying, by theAFC system, a locational uncertainty for the AFC device; and generatingthe geofence defining the operating boundary of the geographic area isfurther based on the location uncertainty of the AFC device.
 13. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein: the operations further comprise:identifying, from the one or more operating parameters, a location ofthe AFC device; and determining interference locations in an areaadjacent to the location identified for the AFC device, eachinterference location corresponding to a respective location where theone or more operating parameters interfere with a licensed device on thelicensed radio frequency band; and generating the geofence defining theoperating boundary of the geographic area is further based on excludingthe interference locations from the operating boundary.
 14. The systemof claim 11, wherein the one or more operating parameters comprise alocation for the AFC device.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein: theone or more operating parameters comprise a longitude, a latitude, and aheight above ground level for the AFC device; and the operating boundaryof the geofence corresponds to a volumetric space within which the AFCdevice may move while communicating using the licensed radio frequencyband based on the one or more operating parameters.
 16. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the response further comprises an operating powerconstraint for the AFC device, the operating power constraint indicatinga threshold operating power for the AFC device to operate at within thegeofence generated by the AFC system.
 17. The system of claim 11,wherein the response further comprises a plurality of recommendedgeofences, the plurality of recommended geofences comprising: thegeofence and a first range of frequencies in the licensed radiofrequency band for the AFC device to communicate within the geofence;and a second geofence and a second range of frequencies in the licensedradio frequency band for the AFC device to communicate within the secondgeofence, the second geofence defining a different respective operatingboundary than the operating boundary of the geofence.
 18. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the one or more operating parameters comprise aminimum operating power for the AFC device.
 19. The system of claim 11,wherein the one or more operating parameters comprises globalpositioning system (GPS) information for the AFC device.
 20. The systemof claim 11, wherein the AFC device is a device without a license tooperate at the licensed radio frequency band.